Craig Gordon describes how Celtic feel about the Champions League

Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon has explained to the Glasgow Evening Times how the current squad feels about the Champions League looking ahead to next season.

The Scot has suggested there is a determination in the current squad to get stuck in and to have a good go in the European tournament next season after failing to get past the qualifying round earlier this season.

“We know we should have done so much better than we did last year (in the Champions League) and there is a feeling we can go and acquit ourselves far better now and take it to the next level,” he said.

“It is one thing to say it and another to do it, but I think we are all excited to get that opportunity.”

Celtic manager Ronny Deila has had a very good first year so far in charge of the Bhoys and he will be looking to kick on and achieve new things and make improvements next season.

Qualification for the Champions League is very important for the club and not just for financial reasons.

It’s a platform, which should allow the club to keep their best players while going after a higher profile and higher calibre group of signings in the transfer market.

It’s also a competition which will allow the boss to test himself tactically, developing his understanding of what’s needed for Celtic to be successful at the highest level of the European game.

It’s also something, which will improve the quality of Celtic’s players and that creates knock on effects in terms of the domestic action, keeping Celtic ahead of the rivals that would be happy to bring them down.

Lewis Doe

Lewis Doe is a freelance writer and editor who seeks to bring you the biggest, smallest and most interesting stories from the football world. Lewis has previously written for some of the biggest football news and opinion sites in the world including FootballFanCast and Goal.com International. Lewis is also experienced writing in the betting industry and aims to deliver his stories with up to date factual and statistical information. He hopes to sum up stories for the site and provide an angle on the issue moving forward.Lewis is HITC Sport's La Liga correspondent.